[7.7/10] It’s my nature to like the epilogue more than the climax. Having the characters take stock after the big rush is over and deal with their personal issues rather than the globe-threatening events is more my speed. So I appreciate this chance to focus on some of the personal takeaways here rather than the usual fights and conspiracy plots.
The most potent of these, naturally, is Artemis reuniting with Wally, or a version of him anyway. Given the time jump, the show never really gave her or the audience a chance to grieve him,so taking time out in the penultimate episode of the season to do just that feels right.
I'm also a sucker for impressionistic and liminal illustrations of broader psychological issues. So Artemis imagining the life she and Wally might have had, within the confines of “limbo” worked on me. There is something profoundly melancholy in experiencing the amorphous but heartening future you imagined with a lost loved one, and not wanting to let it go. The tugs of reality and uncertainty that pop Artemis’ bubble are sad and sympathetic. But Wally’s encouragement, to stop mourning and keep helping others and accept help herself, are all the right notes to play and put a button on one of the show’s most important relationships.
I’m not crazy about the clunkiness of Zatanna explaining that she didn’t actually bring Wally to Limbo, but that instead M’gaaan mixed her powers with Zatanna’s to make it possible for Artemis to process this herself. I get what they’re trying to do, and it's good that this is ultimately Artemis processing her feelings individually rather than a magic solution to a real problem. But the explanation is too clunky and unnecessary. Despite that, I like that Zatanna, M’gaan, and Rocket are there for “the aftermath” much like Artemis was there for Zatanna after her annual visit with her father in the same spot.
And I’m glad that after nearly pulling the trigger on Artemis and Will Harper, the show swerves athe last minute and has both admit it’s too weird. Despite my qualms about this plot, I actually like the idea that there’s an energy between them while they cohabitate and basically raise a family together, but that after testing it, they both realize that it doesn’t feel right.
At the same time, it’s nice to give Forager a little focus as he decides whether to go back to New Genesis or remain on Earth. The balance of returning to a home full of prejudice but one where he can be himself, to a place where he’s found a new family but must use the “albatross” of a glamor to pass makes for a good dilemma. I particularly appreciate the show bringing back Dubblex and the other Cadmus clones, a loose end that I’d wondered about. Them having their own city, where they can live in peace, but must still hide, is progress, and a nice landing spot for them after everything else the show’s contended with since then.
The chance for Forager to live there is a clockwork solution to the problem. But I like the reasoning behind his decision to stay beyond the simplicity of a place on Earth where he can maintain his true form. Earth has its prejudices too, but is confronting them, which is an optimistic take, and his idea of being an example to help forge a world where aliens are accepted is noble. To the same end, it’s a good move to have Dubblex proud of what they’ve achieved, but still challenging Conner to do more, and think not of individual solutions but view himself as part of a community that requires collective action. There’s been a timely bent to this season (see also: Luthor’s comments about “good people on both sides”), and I appreciate where the show lands.
Metron sweeping in Violet and Victory, calling them his grandchildren, and warning of grave things to come is more of a tease than anything. But it does tie a bit of a bow on their motherbox/fatherbox origins and point the way toward bigger and badder issues in the future, which isn’t bad.
Last but not least, it’s nice to see the Markovs reunited, even if it’s a prelude to Terra tipping her allies off that it’s time for a Markovian coup to go into effect. Brion preaching patience and claiming his brother down show how far they’ve come, and it’s a good setup for one more piece of the puzzle to be addressed at the end of the season. Going back to Markovia helps the season come full circle, and hopefully provides a chance to resolve the Brion/Terra stuff.
Overall, this was my favorite Young Justice episode in a while, and I’m glad to see the show do a story that’s a little quieter and more emotional in between the climactic confrontations that are the series’ stock and trade.
One of my faves. Anything relating to Artemis and Wally’s relationship is just gold for me and I adored how they handled giving her the closure she needed, without cheating the plot.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2022-07-31T21:50:11Z
[7.7/10] It’s my nature to like the epilogue more than the climax. Having the characters take stock after the big rush is over and deal with their personal issues rather than the globe-threatening events is more my speed. So I appreciate this chance to focus on some of the personal takeaways here rather than the usual fights and conspiracy plots.
The most potent of these, naturally, is Artemis reuniting with Wally, or a version of him anyway. Given the time jump, the show never really gave her or the audience a chance to grieve him,so taking time out in the penultimate episode of the season to do just that feels right.
I'm also a sucker for impressionistic and liminal illustrations of broader psychological issues. So Artemis imagining the life she and Wally might have had, within the confines of “limbo” worked on me. There is something profoundly melancholy in experiencing the amorphous but heartening future you imagined with a lost loved one, and not wanting to let it go. The tugs of reality and uncertainty that pop Artemis’ bubble are sad and sympathetic. But Wally’s encouragement, to stop mourning and keep helping others and accept help herself, are all the right notes to play and put a button on one of the show’s most important relationships.
I’m not crazy about the clunkiness of Zatanna explaining that she didn’t actually bring Wally to Limbo, but that instead M’gaaan mixed her powers with Zatanna’s to make it possible for Artemis to process this herself. I get what they’re trying to do, and it's good that this is ultimately Artemis processing her feelings individually rather than a magic solution to a real problem. But the explanation is too clunky and unnecessary. Despite that, I like that Zatanna, M’gaan, and Rocket are there for “the aftermath” much like Artemis was there for Zatanna after her annual visit with her father in the same spot.
And I’m glad that after nearly pulling the trigger on Artemis and Will Harper, the show swerves athe last minute and has both admit it’s too weird. Despite my qualms about this plot, I actually like the idea that there’s an energy between them while they cohabitate and basically raise a family together, but that after testing it, they both realize that it doesn’t feel right.
At the same time, it’s nice to give Forager a little focus as he decides whether to go back to New Genesis or remain on Earth. The balance of returning to a home full of prejudice but one where he can be himself, to a place where he’s found a new family but must use the “albatross” of a glamor to pass makes for a good dilemma. I particularly appreciate the show bringing back Dubblex and the other Cadmus clones, a loose end that I’d wondered about. Them having their own city, where they can live in peace, but must still hide, is progress, and a nice landing spot for them after everything else the show’s contended with since then.
The chance for Forager to live there is a clockwork solution to the problem. But I like the reasoning behind his decision to stay beyond the simplicity of a place on Earth where he can maintain his true form. Earth has its prejudices too, but is confronting them, which is an optimistic take, and his idea of being an example to help forge a world where aliens are accepted is noble. To the same end, it’s a good move to have Dubblex proud of what they’ve achieved, but still challenging Conner to do more, and think not of individual solutions but view himself as part of a community that requires collective action. There’s been a timely bent to this season (see also: Luthor’s comments about “good people on both sides”), and I appreciate where the show lands.
Metron sweeping in Violet and Victory, calling them his grandchildren, and warning of grave things to come is more of a tease than anything. But it does tie a bit of a bow on their motherbox/fatherbox origins and point the way toward bigger and badder issues in the future, which isn’t bad.
Last but not least, it’s nice to see the Markovs reunited, even if it’s a prelude to Terra tipping her allies off that it’s time for a Markovian coup to go into effect. Brion preaching patience and claiming his brother down show how far they’ve come, and it’s a good setup for one more piece of the puzzle to be addressed at the end of the season. Going back to Markovia helps the season come full circle, and hopefully provides a chance to resolve the Brion/Terra stuff.
Overall, this was my favorite Young Justice episode in a while, and I’m glad to see the show do a story that’s a little quieter and more emotional in between the climactic confrontations that are the series’ stock and trade.